Travel Itinerary
Memphis, Tennessee pulses with the heartbeat of rock ‘n’ roll, largely thanks to one man: Elvis Presley.
The King’s presence still electrifies this southern city decades after his passing. From his iconic mansion to hidden musical gems, Memphis offers Elvis fans an unforgettable journey through the life and legacy of the man who forever changed American music.
1. Graceland
Step into Elvis’ world at his legendary mansion, purchased in 1957 when he was just 22 years old.
Wander through rooms frozen in time, the famous jungle room with green shag carpet, the mirrored TV room, and the flamboyant peacock stained-glass windows. Every corner reveals another glimpse into the King’s extraordinary life and personal taste.
2. Elvis Presley’s Memphis Complex
Across from Graceland sits this sprawling entertainment complex spanning 200,000 square feet of pure Elvis magic.
Opened in 2017, the venue houses multiple museums showcasing his stage costumes, gold records, and personal mementos. Visitors marvel at the comprehensive exhibits highlighting both his musical journey and cultural impact, all just steps from where the King once lived.
3. Meditation Garden
Nestled behind Graceland, this peaceful sanctuary became Elvis’ final resting place in 1977.
Visitors often stand silently before the eternal flame that marks his grave, surrounded by memorials to his parents, grandmother, and twin brother Jesse who died at birth.
Morning sunlight filters through mature trees, creating a solemn atmosphere where fans leave flowers, notes, and small tributes.
4. Sun Studio
Music history was forever changed in this humble recording studio where an 18-year-old truck driver walked in to record a song for his mother.
Stand on the exact spot where Elvis first recorded “That’s All Right” in 1954, launching his extraordinary career. Vintage microphones and original equipment remain, creating an authentic atmosphere where visitors can almost hear the birth of rock ‘n’ roll.
5. Elvis Presley Automobile Museum
Car enthusiasts swoon over the King’s impressive collection housed within the Graceland complex.
Gaze at the iconic pink Cadillac he purchased for his mother, his purple 1956 Cadillac Eldorado, and the famous 1973 Stutz Blackhawk, the last car he drove before his death. Each vehicle tells a story about Elvis’ love for beautiful automobiles and his legendary generosity.
6. Tupelo’s Birthplace Exhibit
Located inside Graceland, this special exhibit recreates the humble two-room Mississippi shotgun house where Elvis entered the world on January 8, 1935.
Photographs and artifacts showcase his modest beginnings, revealing how far the King journeyed from poverty to worldwide fame. Visitors gain perspective on the incredible rise of a poor southern boy who became a global icon.
7. Elvis’ Tupelo Childhood Home
Just 90 minutes from Memphis sits the actual birthplace of the King, perfectly preserved as a time capsule of 1930s rural Mississippi.
Worth the short day trip, visitors can walk through the tiny two-room house built by Elvis’ father for $180. The surrounding 15-acre park includes a memorial chapel, museum, and “Assembly of God” church where young Elvis first experienced the gospel music that shaped his sound.
8. Beale Street Historic District
Young Elvis absorbed the sounds of blues and jazz in this vibrant entertainment district, which continues to pulse with live music today.
Wandering these historic blocks, visitors experience the same musical atmosphere that influenced the King during his formative years. Blues clubs, restaurants, and shops line the street where Elvis would slip in as a teenager to hear the sounds that would help create his revolutionary style.
9. Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum
Musical pioneers who paved the way for Elvis receive their due recognition in this comprehensive museum at the FedExForum.
Created by the Smithsonian Institution, exhibits trace Memphis’ musical evolution from sharecropper fields to worldwide influence.
Visitors gain deeper appreciation for the cultural foundations that Elvis built upon while enjoying rare recordings, vintage instruments, and interactive displays about the birth of rock.
10. Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Although primarily celebrating soul music, this museum acknowledges how Elvis bridged racial divides during segregation by embracing African American musical styles.
Built on the original site of Stax Records, the museum explores connections between Elvis and Black musicians who influenced each other during Memphis’ musical revolution.
11. Lauderdale Courts
Few fans realize they can actually stay overnight in Elvis’ teenage apartment at this historic housing complex.
Reserve the very unit where the Presley family lived from 1949-1953, now restored to its 1950s appearance with period furnishings.
Sitting at the same window where young Elvis would practice guitar offers an intimate connection to his formative years before fame transformed him into a superstar.
12. Levitt Shell
Musical history echoes through this outdoor amphitheater where Elvis performed his first paid concert on July 30, 1954.
Formerly called the Overton Park Shell, this venue witnessed the birth of a legend when a nervous young singer opened for Slim Whitman.
Still hosting concerts today, visitors can sit on the same grassy lawn where fans first experienced the electrifying stage presence that would soon captivate the world.
13. Lansky Bros. Clothiers
Fashion lovers appreciate this legendary shop where Elvis developed his signature style, now located in the Peabody Hotel.
Bernard Lansky, known as “Clothier to the King,” outfitted Elvis from his high school days through his Vegas years.
Original owner’s son Hal still greets customers, sharing stories about the shy teenager who would press his nose against the window before becoming their most famous client ever.
14. Elvis Statue on Beale Street
Snap a selfie with the life-sized bronze tribute to the King standing proudly on the corner of Beale and Main Streets.
Created by sculptor Andrea Lugar, the statue captures Elvis in mid-performance, microphone in hand, forever 42 years old. Located near where young Elvis would sneak into clubs to hear blues musicians, the memorial serves as a perfect photo opportunity for fans exploring downtown Memphis.
15. Memphis Music Hall of Fame
Round out your Elvis pilgrimage at this downtown museum celebrating the city’s musical legends, with the King naturally taking center stage.
Opened in 2015, the interactive exhibits honor more than 60 musicians who put Memphis on the musical map. Elvis’ custom-made jumpsuit and other personal items highlight his induction as one of the first honorees, cementing his status as Memphis’ most famous native son.